Minister for Culture visits Estonian Song and Dance Festival: strengthening the Baltic community
Minister of Culture Šarūnas Birutis, together with Vice-Minister Edita Klaunauskaitė, is visiting Tallinn on 4–5 July to take part in one of Estonia's most important cultural and social events - the Song and Dance Festival.
"The tradition of Song and Dance Festivals is a unique phenomenon deeply rooted in the identity of our nations. I am proud and happy to be part of this spectacular event in Estonia. The fact that the tradition of song and dance festivals of the three Baltic States is jointly inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity only confirms our exceptional communion and shared values. This celebration is a vivid tribute to our path to freedom and unity," said Minister of Culture Šarūnas Birutis.
Lithuanian representatives watched the spectacular performance of the Dance Festival at Kalev Central Stadium. At the event, Minister Birutis and Deputy Minister Klaunauskaitė met with Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga and Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce.
In the afternoon, the Minister of Culture and the Vice-Minister are meeting with representatives of the Estonian public broadcaster to discuss funding for national minority media.
Tonight, representatives of Lithuania likewise other delegations to Estonia will attend a concert at Arvo Pärt Centre to mark the 90th anniversary of the world-renowned composer. On Saturday, visits are scheduled to Kai Art Centre and the Estonian Museum of Architecture, the former a new centre for the dissemination of contemporary art and the latter a museum that has been transformed in recent years from a budgetary organisation into a state-funded foundation.
The visit will culminate in the opening concert of the Song Festival on Saturday evening in Tallinn's Song Valley.
Photo: Minister Šarūnas Birutis with Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga and Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce.
Last updated: 13-07-2025